No gPhone, Android and the Open Handset Alliance.
UPDATE: Whoops, just read a little more and discovered that Android is a linux based OS. Interesting.
So as I thought, there’s no gPhone. It never made sense, y’know? Instead they’ve announced the Open Handset Alliance and the Android platform for mobile devices, basically a mobile OS.
There aren’t many details on why Android is the bomb, but it’s open which is nice - although so is mobile linux. No handsets till the second half of 2008, I’ll believe it when I see it, but you can download the SDK in a week or so.
So, Google’s going to be manhandling this open alliance as well as continuing to make their applications available on other mobile platforms. I think it is a timid step into the space and it isn’t clear how much push Google’s going to make with Android. If they wuss out because they’re split personality working apps on other platforms as well as their own, it won’t work out. The mobile space is incredibly competitive and the handset makers all have their own OS’s they’re using and are experienced building.
If they really go for the gusto, though, and Android really offers something different, then who knows what could happen? I would, though, have liked to have seen some more interesting announcements regarding different pricing models and what not. Another OS? Sure I’m interested, but it’s kind of a yawner. It’s remarkably contested space.
